AP Calculus Midterm Revision Guide

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2011 AP Calculus Midterm Study Guide

Red 2: 11:00-12:20 Wednesday, January 19th 2011

Red 3: 7:50-9:10 Thursday, January 20th 2011


The greatest challenge on this midterm will be time. It is designed to mirror the timing of the actual AP Exam in May- watch your time carefully!

Coverage & Exam Format:

The exam will assess all the material we studied this semester. Our four units have covered material from chapters 2.1–2.4, 3.1–3.8, 4.1–4.7, 6.1–6.3, 6.5, 6.8, 6.9, 6.11 in your text book.

Here are the instructions from the front cover of the examination:

Instructions: This examination consists of the following sections:

Section A: 10 multiple choice questions without a calculator (25 minutes)
Section B: 8 multiple choice questions with a calculator (25 minutes)
Section C: 1 free response question with a calculator (15 minutes)
Section D: 1 free response question without a calculator (15 minutes)

You may use your note card on the entire exam. For Sections A and B, you may write on the exam, but your answers will be submitted via the link provided by Mr. O’Brien. Since you will not have a hard copy of this answer key, write your answers on this sheet as well so you can see how you answered after the exam.

For Section D, you will be able to go back to work on Section C without your calculator if you’d like.

Have fun, and make the most of this opportunity to show me what you’ve learned this semester…

To review:

  • Skim through the relevant portions of the text to remind yourself of the topics; pay attention to bold definitions and boxed results. If you need a different explanation than the text's, just Google it!
  • Take a look at your Supercorrections from your old unit tests- do you feel more confident now?
  • Rework some of the problems from those tests- can you do them all now?
  • As you review, ask yourself what problems you should expect to see on the exam.
  • Take notes on your note card. Your note card can have formulas, definitions, reminders, words of wisdom, etc. There are only two requirements: 1) you may not include worked examples and 2) all work on the note card must be in your own handwriting. You will submit your note card with your exam- a good note card can earn you extra credit. NOTE: Make it your goal to memorize everything on your card and not use it (since you won't have a card in May!).
  • Do these problems from the 1993 AP Calculus AB Multiple Choice Exam: 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 45

On the day of the Midterm Exam:

  • Make sure you're well rested- don't stay up late the night before and then try to compensate with an energy drink. Energy drinks do not focus your mind- studies show they make it more difficult to think and concentrate.
  • Get to the exam early if possible.
  • Don't forget your note card!
  • Bring a ruler, pencil, eraser, graph paper, and calculator.
  • Don't forget your laptop!!!

During the Midterm Exam:

  • Don't panic.
  • Remember that the only way to get a zero on the exam is to skip it, do nothing, or cheat.
  • Check, double check, triple check your answers.